Bakelite egg-grenade ?

[engineer]

A question to all grenade experts: ever heared of a bakelite-made version of the german WW2 egg-grenade?

 

[paul the grenade]

There was one version made from "NIPOLIT" which was a explosive that had the properties of a hard plastic. Is this what you mean?
it could be turned on a laithe into the shapes of grenades thus doing away with the tin outer casing.
Check alex's great pages on these grenades at http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/germany/nipoliteihandgranate.html
Cheers, Paul.

 

[engineer]

Thanks, Paul. I know the Nipolite-grenades. But I mean another type: bakelite (or hard plasic) casing, filled with common explosives with embedded metal splinters

 

[waffenamt]

Could be a late-war version that was made from available materials like the Stock-mine was.(i think thats the correct name?).
When materials were getting short,then i imagine that other alternatives were used such as bakelite?
cheers

waff

 

[engineer]

I've absolutely no idea, waff. I heared the rumour that some of this items should have been found years ago in a norwegian lake.

 

[Grenadier]

In issue 4/1973 of "Soldat und Technik"-magazine was mentioned such WW2 egg hand grenade. Its size has been reduced approximately to the size of German WW1 egg hand grenades. The purpose of these Hgr. was usage in hot climates, like North Africa (TNT melts about 80 deg.C, so Picric acid (120 deg.C) was used as explosive charge). Soon was realized, that dangerous Ferrous Picrates might be formed, so the decision for usage of plastic bodies was taken. The bodies had embedded steel fragments.

 

[engineer]

Thanks, Grenadier. I've never heared about that...but this story from Mr. von Tresckow seems a little bit odd to me. Using picric acid in the dersert-war instead of TNT because of it's higher melting point? So why only in grenades? What about the shells, mines and bombs in the desert? And the problem of highly sensitive metal picrates was known for decades. Hard to believe that the Germans in 1941 first had to wait for several accidents to realize that picric acid reacts with uncoated metal surfaces.

 

[Grenadier]

Hello,
I think this story is some unreliable too. I just answer to your question.
:nerd:

 

[engineer]

Hi Grenadier,

you do an excellent job and I really appreciate your postings. I've got a lot of new informations from you. I didn't want to run you down. I just critically examined this story.

 

[Grenadier]

V

:tinysmile_shy_t:

 

[engineer]

Here some pics ot such a mysterious german Bakelite grenade. It's size comes up to the "common" egg. I've bought it for authentic - but I'm troubled by doubts.

 

[waffenamt]

Are there any markings of date or maker on the body?
I think its looks real enough,i will stick with my theory of using whatever material was available late-war?

cheers


waff

 

[engineer]

No markings, no stampings....absolutely nothing :tinysmile_cry_t4:

 

[waffenamt]

It could be an experimental one therefore rare,so you can cry tears of joy!!:tinysmile_fatgrin_t


cheers

waff

 

[engineer]

It also could be a fake... :sad:

 

[engineer]

Grenadier, what's your opinion?

 

[waffenamt]

Hmm,i dunno?

When was bakelite stopped being used in general?,that might tie down the age a bit?

best

waff

 

[Grenadier]

It also could be a fake... :sad:

Hi,
Fake by my opinion, but without closer look...

 

[engineer]

Thanks.... but an expensive fake :tinysmile_cry_t3: That sucks (sorry...)